Tourbillon Watches Become China Chic in Europe
KULTUhR creates classically chic timepieces by melding hip styling with innovative Chinese watch making. Inspired by the vibrant lines and dynamic colors of contemporary Chinese ar...Tourbillon Watches Become China Chic in Europe
KULTUhR creates classically chic timepieces by melding hip styling with innovative Chinese watch making. Inspired by the vibrant lines and dynamic colors of contemporary Chinese art, the avant-garde timepieces showcase a flying tourbillon movement. Highly stylized designs allow watch connoisseurs to express their passion for the intricate complication. Haute couture meets cult couture.
For the first time, buying a tourbillon is within the reach of watch collectors who dreamed of owning such a complex mechanical complication but refused to spend the high prices demanded by watch houses. No longer in the exclusive realm of the wealthy, KULTUhR’s tourbillon watches are destined to be worn for everyday pleasure with designs that enhance the wearer’s personal flair and fashion.
Watches have united China and Europe in a long and marvelous history of mutual fascination for several centuries giving rise to La Montre Chinoise crafted by Europe’s finest watch houses. Historically, time was the elite provenance of emperors and fine timepieces carried great prestige amongst the imperial court. Chinese enthrallment with mechanical movements and ornate design directly influenced the development of European craftsmanship in luxury watches.
Not since the water clock of the 10th century, the first timepiece ever to have a mechanical escapement, has China attained a breakthrough in mechanical horology. In the 1970s, the Swiss mechanical watch industry underwent a crisis caused by the advent of the quartz watch and began selling specialized watch making machines to China. Still, it took the Chinese nearly 30 years to finesse watch making skills to develop their first finely tuned tourbillon. The revitalization of the Made in China tourbillon is partly attributed to the renowned grandfather of the Chinese tourbillon, Mr. Kiu Tai Yu of Hong Kong.
In a remarkable turn of the times, Europeans are rediscovering Asian culture. Now with the return of fine watch making to China, KULTUhR breaks tradition by bringing China chic tourbillon watches to Europeans in an exuberant fusion of "East Meets West." KULTUhR celebrates the heritage of Chinese watch making in uniting the artistic expression of the Orient with intricate technical craftsmanship.